Breakdown of Se eu mexer o café, ele vai ficar mais doce.
eu
I
o café
the coffee
ir
to go
ele
he
mais
more
se
if
ficar
to become
mexer
to stir
doce
sweet
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Questions & Answers about Se eu mexer o café, ele vai ficar mais doce.
What does mexer mean in this sentence?
In this context, mexer means to stir. It refers to the action of mixing or agitating the coffee, ensuring that its components blend together.
What role does se play in this sentence?
Se functions as the conditional marker, equivalent to if in English. It introduces the hypothesis that if the action (stirring the coffee) occurs, then a specific outcome (the coffee becoming sweeter) will result.
How is the future expressed in ele vai ficar mais doce?
The future is expressed using the construction vai + infinitive. In this case, vai (from the verb ir, meaning to go) combined with ficar (to become or turn) creates a near-future tense similar to saying will become in English.
What does mais doce mean?
Mais doce translates directly to sweeter. Here, mais means more, and doce means sweet. Together, they describe an increase in the quality of sweetness.
Could the verb mexer cause confusion due to its multiple meanings?
Yes, mexer can also mean to move or to meddle with in different contexts. However, when referring to coffee in this sentence, it clearly means to stir—the action of mixing the liquid to possibly enhance its flavor.
Is it common in Portuguese to use the present tense in the conditional clause as in se eu mexer?
Absolutely. Using the present tense in the conditional clause is standard in Portuguese for real or likely conditions. It mirrors the English structure where the condition is stated in the simple present (e.g., if I stir the coffee, it will become sweeter).
Are there alternative verbs that could be used instead of mexer in this context?
Yes, one might also choose misturar (to mix) when referring to stirring a liquid like coffee. However, in colloquial Portuguese, mexer is commonly used when you want to indicate the act of stirring to blend ingredients.